Huckabee: Hamas will not be allowed to continue delaying its disarmament and will have no future in Gaza

SadaNews translation - The U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, stated on Thursday evening that Hamas cannot continue to delay the disarmament issue in the Gaza Strip.

Huckabee emphasized during an interview with the Hebrew channel Reshet Kan that there will be no future for Hamas in the Gaza Strip, a point made clear by U.S. President Donald Trump from the beginning and since he took office more than a year ago, according to him. This was also translated by SadaNews.

Regarding the possibility of moving to the second phase of Trump's plan even without Hamas's disarmament, the U.S. ambassador said: "I don’t know if there is a specific condition or sequence of events.. it’s a broad plan that includes 20 items, and each item will be implemented as much as possible".

On the potential involvement of Turkey in the international stabilization force, Huckabee stated: "To my knowledge, there will be no readiness from any side to say, 'Okay, let the Turks in,' especially since Israel has reservations, and we have to remember that the reason for these reservations is Turkey's statements and its way of talking about reviving the Ottoman Empire."

When asked about the possibility of Israel launching an attack against Iran, he said: "Such an action will be taken after an independent Israeli decision, in accordance with its interests." He noted that this was part of the discussion that took place between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during their last meeting, adding: "They will work in coordination, dialogue, and consultation between them, and whatever they do, whether the United States or Israel, will be a decision made by each country individually, serving their own interests... Israel will act for Israel, and the United States will act for the United States."

Regarding the protests taking place in Iran, Huckabee remarked: "When we reflect on the extent of the atrocities that have befallen people around the world, which we have felt particularly here in Israel after October 7, and knowing that the central planning for these events came from Iran, let us hope that this year will be the year when the Iranian people say: 'Enough is enough.'"

Regarding the potential for U.S. intervention in these events, the U.S. ambassador to Israel stated: "I don't think this issue is on the table for discussion at the moment, as everyone is watching what the Iranian people are doing, what they want to happen, and the protests are increasing, which is important."

In relation to the disarmament of Hezbollah in Lebanon, he said: "I believe we are witnessing an increase in the strength of the Lebanese army taking on more responsibility, and this has always been the goal, and there has always been hope and aspiration for Lebanon to govern itself and rid itself of Hezbollah. To the extent that Israel must defend itself against ongoing rocket attacks and infiltration by Hezbollah into the south, it cannot allow this situation to continue and will not permit it... I don't think anyone in the world should expect Israel to stand idly by and say: 'Yes, continue to threaten and kill our people,'" according to him as also translated by SadaNews.

Regarding Syria, he stated: "There is a clear desire from both Israel and Syria to end any sense of hostility, and there will be fear and there will be defense... Israel will defend its borders, and I have made that very clear... The president has also made that very clear... He fully understands that, respects it, and expects it as well; Israel will not allow itself to be susceptible to a repetition of the October 7 events."